- Homeschooling High School: Introduction
- Homeschooling High School: Figuring Out Coursework
- Homeschooling High School: Determining Credits
- Homeschooling High School: Credits
- Homeschooling High School: Is Nature Study Relevant to High School Science?
- Homeschooling High School: Science
- Homeschooling High School: But How Do I Teach Algebra?
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Homeschooling High School: Sports
Monday, November 14, 2011
Homeschooling High School: Science
Have you been reading the fabulous series about homeschooling through high school over at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers? Kris' series is a must-read for home educators who have children of any age. Today is Day 6 of her series and I'm guest posting about teaching high school level science courses. Kris has covered a wide range of topics in this series including:
- Homeschooling High School: Introduction
- Homeschooling High School: Figuring Out Coursework
- Homeschooling High School: Determining Credits
- Homeschooling High School: Credits
- Homeschooling High School: Is Nature Study Relevant to High School Science?
- Homeschooling High School: Science.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Why Is There Always a Mean Girl? - New Post at The Homeschool Classroom
Monday, November 7, 2011
Review of Imagination Station Books and a Chance to Win 6 Books in the Series
In Problems in Plymouth, readers will learn about why the Native Americans and the Pilgrims didn't always trust each other and the basis for conflict between them. As well, the book also focused on the everyday lives of the people who lived at Plymouth Plantation and the Thanksgiving celebration. The book was action-packed and the plot moved along at a fast pace.
The Imagination Station books are all written from a Christian perspective and I appreciated the references to prayer within the book. As well, the values and actions of the main characters reflected positive character traits.
Do you think your family would enjoy receiving all 6 books in the Imagination Station series? Just leave a comment on this post and I will choose one lucky winner randomly to receive the first 6 books in this exciting series. The books will be mailed directly from the publisher. The winner will be chosen on Friday, November 11th at 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
I received the the first 6 books in the Imagination Station series from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review of the book series. No other compensation, monetary or otherwise, was given in exchange for my review.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Dallas Mavericks Sports Gnome
Dallas Mavericks Sports Gnome
Buy new : $14.99 $9.95
Binding : Kitchen
Brand : Forever Collectibles
EAN : 0681329922169
EAN List : 0681329922169
Label : Forever Collectibles
Manufacturer : Forever Collectibles
Material Type : Plastic
Material TypeSet Element : Plastic
MPN : miniGNnba-DMAV
Part Number : miniGNnba-DMAV
Product Group : Sports
Product Type Name : HOME
Publisher : Forever Collectibles
SKU : CSD-8132992216
Studio : Forever Collectibles
UPC : 681329922169
UPC List : 681329922169
Feature :
- Resin
- Hand painted
- 8 inches tall
- Officially licensed
Product Description :
These new roaming Garden Gnomes are ready for your garden! These 8 inch tall figures are made of a resin material and come to you with full team colors and team specific logos. They are cute, fun and love to travel from time to time! They are perfect for your garden, patio, desk or shelf.
MatMates Starry Snowman Doormat
MatMates Starry Snowman Doormat
Buy new : $56.78 $19.32
Binding : Misc.
Brand : Magnet Works
EAN : 0843259023341
EAN List : 0843259023341
Label : Magnet Works
Manufacturer : Magnet Works
MPN : MAIL16144
Part Number : MAIL16144
Product Group : Sports
Product Type Name : SPORTING_GOODS
Publisher : Magnet Works
SKU : B002RZZXBM
Studio : Magnet Works
UPC : 843259023341
UPC List : 843259023341
Feature :
- Sold Starry Snowman MatMate only.
- There would be 20% restocking fee for non-defective item if it is in restockable condition (we must be able to put on our shelves as a new product.)
- 100% safe secure shopping; Superior customer service.
- Exceptional customer service and unparalleled product expertise.
- 100% genuine brand names.
Product Description :
MatMatesTM Interchangeable Doormats are beautifully die-sublimated printed doormats with an environmentally friendly backing made of non-slip recycled rubber tires. Weather-proof for outdoor use. MatMatesTM Interchangeable Doormats measure 18 in. x 30 in. and look beautiful when used stand-alone but come to life when used as inserts in one of the stunning MatMatesTM Interchangeable Doormats decorative trays. The tray is sold separately.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Week in Review - A Dead Tadpole, A Sinus Infection, and a Fun Science Activity
Duncan was a bit upset this week to discover that his tadpole had died. I have no pictures - that would be too morbid. Our Grew a Frog is still alive, though.
Mason has had a lingering cough for weeks now. On Monday, we decided that we had better take him in to see our pediatrician. Our doctor diagnosed him with a sinus infection and now he is taking medication and still has a lingering cough.
We have been having small problems with our computer for a few months now. After talking with a computer technician, we decided to upgrade our computer rather than try to fix the many problems. We are definitely due for an upgrade and our computer gets a ton of use as we use it for business and personal use. While we are having a computer technician transfer our data, the whole process is still a bit disconcerting. I will be happy when we are all set up with our new computer next week!
Sadly, not a lot happened in our homeschool this week that was picture-worthy! If I had taken more pictures this week, they all would have been the same - children bent over schoolbooks reading or writing. While working on book-work is very good, it doesn't make for interesting pictures!
We started Friday morning with our weekly "watch all-together" history video. We watched Dawn of the Maya. For the past three weeks, we've watched videos about ancient peoples - the Incas, the Aztecs, and the Mayas.
This afternoon, Duncan and I did a hands-on science activity that he's been looking forward to all week. He saw the "Vroom, Vroom!" activity in his science textbook and he was very excited about trying it.
The main question in this activity was, "Does the amount of force needed to move a toy car increase or decrease as the slope increases?" He compared many different degrees of slope and found that more effort was needed to move the toy car up the ramp when the slope was increased and less effort was needed when the slope was decreased.
The toy car was taped to a 1 meter long piece of string attached to a plastic cup (the effort). Duncan added one penny at a time to the cup until the car moved up the ramp to the top.
He enjoyed predicting how many pennies it would take to move the car every time he adjusted the slope.
Our boys have a swim meet all week-end and Amber is away for the week-end at a church retreat (I will miss her). I know that Monday will be here in the blink of an eye so I better get started on finding that peace and clarity!
Visit Kris at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers to read about what other homeschooling bloggers did this week!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Adding Depth and Interest to History Studies by Taking History-Related Field Trips
Now, I love history field trips. I dream of visiting tons of historical sites all over the United States with my husband when we are older. I adore living history as well. To say that my children are not as interested in history-related field trips as I am is definitely an understatement. In fact, my children didn't even want to take the Santa Maria tour - they were eager to get over to the Science Center. They did end up enjoying the tour and learning quite a bit more about Columbus' voyages, though.
Since my children are not usually over-the-top excited about history field trips, I found myself wondering why I even bother planning history field trips. In thinking through the benefits of history-related field trips, though, I came to the conclusion that they are, indeed, very valuable and are definitely worth taking even with less-than-enthusiastic young people.
History-Related Field Trips Help Us to Gain In-Depth Knowledge
Focusing on one location, one event, or one historical artifact allows for more in-depth knowledge about a particular historical subject. Before touring the Santa Maria, we had read quite a bit about the voyages of Columbus in our history programs. Taking the tour helped to highlight to all of us that there was so much more to learn about Columbus' voyages. We learned many new details about the voyages and Columbus himself during the tour.
Visiting Historical Sites Makes Connections Between the Abstract and the Concrete
Taking history-related field trips helps to make connections between the abstract world of history books and the concrete world of experience. When teaching young children, we often focus on making concepts concrete for them. For example, we use manipulatives to teach a young child to add and subtract.
The wisdom of making the abstract concrete, though, is important for all ages. While we had all read about difficult conditions on the Santa Maria for Columbus and his crew, actually seeing where the crew slept and looking at examples of foods that were eaten made the voyages seem so much more real for all of us.
Duncan takes a turn pumping water out of the bottom of the ship with the bilge pump. |
Bilge pump. Tiller. Capstan. While we had heard those words before, I know that all of us gained a much deeper understanding of those terms after taking the Santa Maria tour.
The Santa Maria did not have a ship's wheel. A tiller was used to steer the boat by pushing it from side to side. Interestingly, no windows were available to guide the sailor in operating the tiller. |
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Ten Christmas-Themed Movies I Plan to Watch this Holiday Season
I would love to hear about some more great holiday movies to add to my list! If you have some holiday movies that you enjoy, please leave me a comment with the names of the movies so I can add them to my list.
To read more Top 10 lists from other bloggers, visit Oh Amanda for Top 10 Tuesday.